HITH services expanded in North Queensland

Patients in North Queensland will be able to benefit from a wider range of treatment options after a partnership was announced to expand the region’s hospital in the home (HITH) services.

Metro North Hospital and Health Service (MNHHS) has teamed up with not-for-profit healthcare organisation Silver Chain in what is the Sunshine State’s first ever community-based Public Private Partnership. The two entities will work together to ensure more patients can enjoy hospital-level treatment in the comfort of their own homes.

The service will operate out of North Lakes, and will be a major boost for patients who aren’t based near the state’s central hospitals. Jacinta Thompson, HITH nursing director at MNHHS, said the partnership will be able to cater to a range of conditions.

According to Silver Chain, patients can also be treated for severe conditions such as pneumonia and other chest infections.

“We will also explore other areas that may be suitable for HITH treatment from the four acute hospitals in MNHHS. This will substantially increase the range of acute health care that can be safely delivered in the patient’s home.”

She added that 36 patients have already taken advantage of HITH services under the scheme, less than a month since its inception.

Ms Thompson revealed that there are currently 50 HITH beds provided by Metro North, with goals to expand the capacity by 28 extra beds.

The partnership with Silver Chain marks another step in MNHHS’s long-term HITH project, which first began in 2005 with a limited number of beds at Redcliffe and Caboolture Hospital. Over the years, the service has expanded to include beds at the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital and The Prince Charles Hospital.